Mass spectrometry in viral proteomics

Mass spectrometry is a valuable tool in structural and functional viral pro teomics, where it has been used to identify viral capsid proteins, viral mu tants, and posttranslational modifications. Further, mass-based approaches combined with time-resolved proteolysis (mass mapping) have revealed the dy namic nature of viral particles in solution; this method is contributing to an understanding of the dynamic domains of the viral capsid which may have significant value in developing new approaches for viral inactivation. As a result of these experiments, and by comparison with complementary data fr om X-ray crystallography, a new dimension to viral protein structure and fu nction is emerging.